Glow Plug 101 question

jymbee · Dec 17, 2013

So it's cold-- very cold. Ten below last night.

To start the diesel truck, tractor, whatever... I turn the key to where I see the "Wait to start" light, then continue turning the key to start. Chugs, but doesn't start (as usual).

So now, do I:

Just try to start again?
Turn the key off, wait a bit, then turn the key and wait for the glow plug light to go off again, then try to start?
Turn the key on/off several times first thing, waiting for the glow plug "Wait to start" light to go out each time before finally trying to start?

dmccarty · Dec 17, 2013

At this point, I would check to see if the fuel has gelled, or maybe the battery is going bad and cannot take the cold.

I would have tried to start a couple of times, waiting a bit before retrying. I have started both the truck and tractor in really cold weather, in the single digits, but I don't think I have had to turn the key twice to get the engine to run. Until I started using synthetic oils, either 5Wx40 or 0Wx40, the engines certainly did not like the cold that is for sure... But they would start.

With temps in the 30's, I would use an engine block heater on the truck prior to using synthetic oils. I have not used an engine block heater on the tractor.

Later,
Dan

pacerron · Dec 17, 2013

jymbee said:
So it's cold-- very cold. Ten below last night.

To start the diesel truck, tractor, whatever... I turn the key to where I see the "Wait to start" light, then continue turning the key to start. Chugs, but doesn't start (as usual).

So now, do I:

Just try to start again?

Turn the key off, wait a bit, then turn the key and wait for the glow plug light to go off again, then try to start?

Turn the key on/off several times first thing, waiting for the glow plug "Wait to start" light to go out each time before finally trying to start?

Ten below zero is engine block heater time IMO if you have one installed. Run it 2-3 hours before starting the tractor.
My tractor came with a pre-turbo air heater but I made them put an engine block heater in as well. I use it below 10+ deg., which isn't very often, but there is nothing worse than needing a tractor and it won't start.

I have read on TBN that magnetic stick on heaters are available but don't work too well.

Western · Dec 17, 2013

I have done the pre start sequence on several tractors of mine several times before actually engaging the starter, when it is really cold (15* is cold here)

At those temps, I would also use a block warmer, or a light bulb by the oil pan as mentioned above.

DeereMann · Dec 17, 2013

It looks like you have an older tractor/engine? If so, in general, these did not start as well as today's engines. Their fuel injection pressures were typically much lower than today, making far less atomization of the fuel spray.

So - like the others said, things that can help are synthetic engine oil (faster cranking speed), fresh, charged battery (with warming blanket), coolant heater (1-2 hours prior to starting), blended fuel and anti-gel additive, fuel cetane booster.

Double heating glow plugs helps a little, but not enough to overcome poor fuel atomization at cold ambients. Need that block heater to get the entire block warmed up.

Good luck!

jymbee · Dec 17, 2013

DeereMann said:
Double heating glow plugs helps a little, but not enough to overcome poor fuel atomization at cold ambients. Need that block heater to get the entire block warmed up.

Appreciate the input from all! I meant my question to be more general than specific in that I always wondered about the best method for starting with glow plugs if the temperature is quite low. Obviously, as others pointed out, minus 10 is another situation altogether.

My tractor is pretty new and does have a block heater with an extension cord reaching to an outlet just outside the basement. As discussed in an earlier thread, when I can plan ahead I'll plug it in for a least a couple of hours if bitter cold but just wondered about the best starting strategy when I needed to start it without having time to warm the block. Or the same for the smaller JD 748 or GMC pickup, both of which are diesel but with no heating assist other than the glow plugs.

SPIKER · Dec 17, 2013

I've started my tractor down to -35F a few times it is 3 cyl Jinma (China Direct injection w glow plugs) It is a "Dumb" glow plug system it has a "H" (heat) spot on the key just a bit less than cranking. Manual says hold for 10seconds then crank. However at those real cold temps I would have to hold on glow plug for 2 cycles of 10 second counts. Then crank with the decompression release on (no compression) to get the engine spinning up a bit. THEN release the decompression handle and she would sputter for a while but take off. started it 1 time when I was STUCK in the drive at -40F. I had some ice crystals in the radiator catch tank when I looked

Radiator was not frozen but I had added some water in fall to catch tank as it ran warm brush-hogging.

After the -40 which took 3 trys to start & I ended up putting the charger on BOOST (NOT WHILE GLOW PLUGS WERE ON) but to recharge battery it fired 3rd series of trying (2nd series it fired but died.)

I also put Heat Lamp on Injection Pump and Fuel Filter to warm those up for 15 min prior to trying it...

I now have a rad heater in the lower hose, still use the heat lamp if below 10F or fire up the Torpedo Heater. about 20 min of Coolant heater on and front of engine is warm, Heat Lamp on about 10 min is all it needs to warm up the fuel lines to the injectors & the pump (tractor inside so no wind.) I use the Glow Plugs anytime it is below 50F or so but usually a 5 sec until near freezing then go the 10 second count and crank.

Mark

Soundguy · Dec 17, 2013

in super cold weather i'd give at least 2 glows before trying to start.

in neg-ten. i'd have a block heater and a bat trickle charger plugged in on a timer set to go off about 3-4 hours before i needed to leave.. i'd also have made sure i had double dosed the fuel with addatives and made sure it was circulatd before shutting down. running inthat weather I'd also be running some energy efficient diesel synthetic oil too.

SPIKER · Dec 17, 2013

Soundguy said:
in super cold weather i'd give at least 2 glows before trying to start.

in neg-ten. i'd have a block heater and a bat trickle charger plugged in on a timer set to go off about 3-4 hours before i needed to leave.. i'd also have made sure i had double dosed the fuel with addatives and made sure it was circulatd before shutting down. running inthat weather I'd also be running some energy efficient diesel synthetic oil too.

Ya I forgot to mention the trickle charger, I put mine on if weather is on way in (drive way clearing duty) otherwise I put it on for a day or two per month...

Mark

Soundguy · Dec 17, 2013

SPIKER said:
Ya I forgot to mention the trickle charger, I put mine on if weather is on way in (drive way clearing duty) otherwise I put it on for a day or two per month...

Mark

every bit helps.

the charger keeps the battery physically warm.. which is better for 'chemical energy' and just plain topped off. couple that with a partially warmed engine. good treated fuel and some 0w or 5w 'something' c rated syn oil and a couple glows and that's about as ideal as you can get.. vs climate controleld housing..e tc..

i know some guys that have a block coolant heater.. lower hose heater.. and use magnetic stick on heaters and stick one on oil pan, and one the rear sumps.. like hyds and diffy.. plus the charger.. all on timers to go off 2-4 hours before needed. ( idaho. ill.. etc )... seems to work good with warmed oil and water and hot battery...